Bikes for Kids

Specialized Bikes

Bike rides are a staple of childhood that children with special needs deserve to experience too! Variety helps children with special needs gain mobility, confidence, freedom, independence and the chance to join in the life of their community by providing funding for specialized bicycles to families with the most need. The benefits of a specialized bike are both physical and therapeutic. Unfortunately, bikes are cost prohibitive to some families and are often not covered by insurance.

Variety works with physical therapists throughout the state to identify children with special needs who would greatly benefit from a specialized bike.

“This bicycle will enable Lucas to build motor skills, muscle strength and stability, in addition to keeping him healthy and active. Once again, thank you all so much for choosing Lucas to receive this bike!! It’s given him a major boost with confidence in his ability to be on the move with a bike!”

Traditional Bikes

Do you remember receiving your first bike? Bikes go hand in hand with being a kid, but for many children in our community, the prospect of having their own bike is only a dream. Variety helps make that dream a reality by providing bikes, helmets and locks to children throughout Iowa.

The bikes directly impact a child and his or her family in many ways. Our Variety Bikes help to provide recreation and address the importance of exercise and good health. The Kids on the Go! safety program illustrates the significance of wearing a helmet, locking up your bike and riding cautiously. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to ride his or her own bike.

“We wanted to express our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to you for providing such beautiful bicycles for our two oldest children. Words cannot express how much of a blessing this is to our family. In a day where the attention of our finances is demanded in almost every direction, the kids now have bikes that they can enjoy where they simply would not have had otherwise.”

Thanks to the generous support of our donors, Variety was able to award more than 1,700 bikes to children in 2015.